No doubt the Zephyr's better than average expected fuel economy, helped along by a smallish displacement engine mated to a
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| No doubt the Zephyr's better than average expected fuel economy, helped along by a smallish displacement engine mated to a transmission that offers an extra gear, will help win over fans. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
So, it seems likely that Lincoln can achieve top-3 in the segment next year, if it does a good job getting the word out. And from the look of the few TV ads I saw, one (the red carpet ad) of which was extremely slick, and a bevy of radio, print and new media initiatives, plus a grass roots "word of mouth" campaign to include weeklong product placements
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| Never, since domestic producers have been challenged and often beaten by German and Asian competitors, has a Lincoln's build quality and design execution measured equally to the imports. Now the Zephyr does. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
As far as this journalist is concerned, the Zephyr has already achieved milestone marker status in Lincoln's long timeline. Never, since domestic producers have been challenged and often beaten by German and Asian competitors, has a Lincoln's build quality and design execution measured equally to the imports. It can be argued that the Zephyr does, bypassing the Cadillac CTS by a long shot, at least when comparing interiors, and in some ways even eclipsing Lexus' revered ES 330. That's big news, and poses an interesting scenario for future Lincoln models, heating up their respective categories like Cadillac, and Chrysler, for that matter, have in recent years. The domestics are back!